Hoop rolling and braking device

ABSTRACT

A hoop rolling and braking device adapted to control speed and direction of travel of a metal hoop includes a hoop guide mounted on a lower end of a guide stick having a handle portion mounted on an upper end thereof and a mechanism with a portion adjacent to the handle portion and operative to selectively move a speed retardent into an out of position in the hoop guide for retarding rotation of the metal hoop.

United States Patent [19] Beaver [in 3,820,277 June 28, 1974 HOOP ROLLING AND BRAKING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Dale H. Beaver, 3102 NE 56th Ter., Gladstone, Mo. 64119 [22] Filed: June 25, 1973 [211 App]. No.: 373,469

[52] U.S. Cl. 46/220 {51 1 Int. Cl. A63h 11/00 [58] Fleld of Search 46/220, 114

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,748,533 6/l956 Cipolla 46/220 2,970,403 2/1961 Land 46/220 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 637,984 3/1962 Canada 46/220 Primary Examiner-Antonio F. Guida Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or FirmFishburn, Gold & Litman 57 ABSTRACT A hoop rolling and braking device adapted to control speed and direction of travel of a metal hoop includes a hoop guide mounted on a lower end of a guide stick having a handle portion mounted on an upper end thereof and a mechanism with a portion adjacent to the handle portion and operative to selectively move a speed retardent into an out of position in the hoop guide for retarding rotation of the metal hoop.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 28 R374 SHEET 1 0F 2 1 HOOP ROLLING AND BRAKING DEVICE The present invention relates to stick and hoop toys and, more particularly, to a hoop rolling and braking device adapted to control speed and direction of travel of a metal hoop.

The principalobjects of the present invention arezto provide a hoop rolling and braking device adapted to permit control of direction and speed of travel of a metal hoop; to provide such a hoop rolling and braking device having a mechanism to selectively move or energize an attraction device adapted to retard speed of rotation or rolling of a metal hoop; to provide such a mechanism to move a magnet to a position aligned with an aperture in a hoop guide mounted on a lower end of a guide stick; to .provide such a hoop rolling and braking device which permits the development of a high degree of skill in controlling the speed and direction of travel of a metal hoop; to provide such a hoop rolling and braking device which is both amusing and entertaining in use; and to provide such a hoop rolling and braking device which is economical to manufacture, durable in construction, attractive in appearance, positive in operation, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the hoop rolling and braking device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hoop rolling and braking device embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hoop rolling and braking device.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the hoop rolling and braking device.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the hoop rolling and braking device.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 55, FIG. 4 and showing a switch operative to move a magnet to a braking position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 66, FIG. 4 and showing the magnet and a guide ramp for moving the magnet to a braking position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 77, FIG. 2 and showing the preferred form of the hoop.

Referring more in detail to the drawings: 7

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a hoop rolling and braking device adapted to control speed and direction of travel of a metal hoop 2. The

hoop rolling and braking device 1 includes a hoop guide 3 mounted on a lower end of a guide stick 4 having a handle portion 5 on an upper end thereof and a lever or other suitable operator 6 adjacent the handle portion 5 and operative to selectively move a hoop retardent 7 into and out of operative position as in an ap erture 8 in the hoop guide 3 for retarding rotation of the metal hoop 2 when in alignment with the aperture 8.

The metal hoop 2 may be any desired peripheral contour,,however, it has been found that a rim with a generally flat or rim surface having a width substantially greater than thickness will roll along a desired path and it has also been found that chamfering the exterior edges at a slight angle substantially improves the turning of the hoop 2 thereby making same easier to turn and turning of the hoop 2 more responsive to engagement of the hoop guide 3 therewith. Weather protectionis preferably applied to the metal hoop 2 in the form of a coating of plastic, nylon, or other suitable nonmagnetic material which will adhere to the metal of the hoop 2 and be substantially inert and uneffected by weather or substances contacted by the hoop 2. The coating is also preferably nonmagnetic, for a purpose later described.

The guide stick 4 is an elongated member which is preferably tubular and may be circular or square in transverse cross section. The guide stick 4 is also preferably formed of a non-magnetic material, such as wood, plastic, and the like.

The hoop guide 3 provides means mounted adjacent the lower end of the guide stick 4 engageable with the rim of the hoop 2 for pushing the hoop 2 thereby effecting rotation of the metal hoop and for controlling the direction of travel of the metal hoop 2. The illustrated hoop guide 3 has a web 9 mounted on the lower end of the guide stick 4 and the web 9 has the aperture 8 therein preferrably elongated in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the guide stick 4. The hoop guide 3 has a pair of lateral arms or flanges 10 and 11 extending outwardly from respective opposite side edges of the web 9 The flanges 10 and 11 are used to selectively turn the hoop 2 and in the illustrated hoop guide 3, the spacing between the flanges 10 and 11 at the rear or upper end of the web 9 is less than the spacing between the flanges l0 and 11 at the front or lower end of the web 9. It is also preferable that the spacing at the upper or rear end of the web 9 be slightly less than the width of the metal hoop 2 and the spacing at the front or lower end of the web 9 be slightly greater than the width of the metal hoop 2. The flanges l0 and 11 are preferably substantially planar members and are positioned to define an acute angle between the respective flange and the web 9, such as in the nature of thirty to sixty degrees (30 to thereby providing means'for controlling the direction of travel of the hoop 2.

The handle portion 5 on the upper end of the guide stick 4 may be any suitable member adapted to be gripped by a hand or hands of a person using the hoop rolling and braking device 1. The illustrated handle portion 5 has a suitable grip mounted thereon and preferably formed of rubber, plastic, or other suitable material.

The lever 6 is operative to move the retardent such as amagnet 7 into and out of alignment with the aperture 8-in the web 9 of the hoop guide 3. The illustrated lever 6 is positioned adjacent the handle portion and includes a cover or guide plate 12 suitably secured to the guide stick 4, as by suitable screws or the like. The cover or guide plate 12 has an elongated slot or way 13 therein which is adapted to receive a'projection 14 extending outwardly through the cover or guide plate 12 and movable therealong. The projection 14 is operatively connected to the magnet 7 for selectively moving the magnet 7 into and out of alignment with the aperture 8 in the web 9 of the hoop guide 3.

The illustrated connection between the projection 14 and the magnet 7 includes an elongated shaft or rod 15 positioned within the tubular guide stick 4 and having one end operatively connected to the projection 14 of the switch 6, as by a suitable cotter pin, and the other end of the rod 15 suitable connected to the magnet 7, as by a cotter pin or the like.

The lever 6 includes suitable resilient means operatively connected to the projection 14 and to the guide stick 4 and adapted to urge the projection 14 to a position having the magnet 7 spaced from and out of alignment with the aperture 8 in the web 9 of the hoop guide 3. In the illustrated embodiment, a suitable compression spring 16 has an upper end thereof connected to the projection 14 and a lower end of the compression spring 16 is connected to the guide stick 4 below the switch 6. The spring 16 is adapted to maintain the projection 14 in an of position having the magnet 7 out of alignment with the aperture 8 until the projection 14 is forceably moved toward the lower end of the guide stick 4.

The magnet 7 tapers from its connection to the rod 15 at an upper end thereof to a point at the lower end thereof, for a purpose later described. The magnet 7 is preferably of a size and strength to provide substantial attraction between the metal hoop 2 and the magnet 7 when in close proximity one with the other.

The magnet 7 is guided into and out of alignment with the aperture 8 by a guide ramp 17 positioned within and adjacent the lower end of the guide stick 4 and inclined toward the web 9 of the hoop guide 3 and the aperture 8 therein. The guide ramp 17 and the tapered shape of the magnet 7 cooperate to position the magnet 7 adjacent the web 9 when the magnet 7 is in a braking or operative position.

In using a hoop rolling and braking device constructed as illustrated and described, the hoop 2 is started in any suitable manner, such as by a gentle manual roll or by rolling the hoop 2 down the exterior of the. guide stick 4 and preferably between the flanges 10 and 11. The web 9 of the hoop guide 3 is used to push the rim of the hoop 2 and the flanges l0 and 11 are used as desired to turn the hoop 2. When it is desired to slow or reduce the speed of rotation of the hoop 2, the projection 14 is forceably moved toward the lower end of the guide stick 4 thereby moving the magnet 7 along the ramp l7 and into alignment with the aperture 8 thereby placing the magnet 7 in a position having maximum attraction for the metal hoop 2. The projection 14 is released allowing the spring 16 to retract the magnet 7 when it is desired to increase the speed of rotation of the hoop, as by pushing thereon with the web 9 of the hoop guide 3.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A combination including a hoop and means for rolling and controlling travel of same, the combination comprising:

a. a hoop having a peripheral rim;

b. an elongated guide stick having a handle portion at one end thereof;

c. means mounted adjacent the other end of said guide stick and engageable with the rim of said hoop for pushing said hoop to effect rotation thereof and for controlling the direction of travel of said hoop, said means for pushing said hoop and for controlling the direction of travel of said hoop comprising a hoop guide having lateral flanges extending outwardly from a web mounted on said guide stick, the web of said hoop guide having an aperture therein; and

d. means mounted on said guide stick for selectively retarding rotation of said hoop, said means for retarding rotation of said hoop comprising a magnet and means mounted on said guide stick and operatively connected to said magnet for selectively moving same into and out of operative position in said web of said hoop guide.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said guide stick is a tubular member having said magnet therein;

b. a lever is mounted on said guide stick adjacent the handle portion thereof;

c. an elongated rod has one end operatively connected to said switch and has the other end thereof connected to said magnet; and

d. said means for moving said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide includes a ramp positioned within said guide stick and adjacent the other end thereof.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 including resilient means operatively connected to said lever and to said guide stick for urging said lever to and maintaining same in a position having said magnet out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.

4. In combination, a metal hoop and means for propelling and guiding and braking said hoop and comprising:

a. a metal hoop;

b. an elongated tubular guide stick having a handle portion at one end thereof;

c. a hoop guide mounted adjacent the other end of said guide stick and having laterally spaced flanges extending outwardly from a web having an aperture therein;

d. a magnet within said guide stick; and

e. means mounted on said guide stick and operatively connected to said magnet for selectively moving said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. a lever is mounted on said guide stick adjacent the handle portion thereof;

b. an elongated rod is positioned in said guide stick and has one end operatively connected to said lever and has said magnet connected to the other end thereof; and

c. said means for moving said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide includes a ramp positioned within said guide stick and adjacent the other end thereof.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein resilient means are operatively connected to said switch and to said guide stick for urging said lever to a position having said magnet out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.

7. A hoop rolling and braking device comprising:

a. an elongated guide stick having a handle portion at one end thereof;

b. a hoop guide mounted adjacent the other end of said guide stick and having laterally spaced flanges extending outwardly from a web having an aperture therein; and

c. means mounted on said guide stick and selectively movable into alignment with the aperture in the web of said hoop guide for retarding rotation of a hoop having a metal rim positioned between said flanges of said hoop guide, said means for retarding rotation of a hoop comprises:

1. a magnet; 2. means mounted on said guide stick and connected to said magnet for selectively moving said magnet longitudinally of said stick; and

3. means adjacent said web of said hoop guide for guiding said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.

8. A hoop rolling and braking device as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

a. said guide stick is a tubular member having said magnet therein;

b. a lever is mounted on said guide stick adjacent the handle portion;

c. an elongated rod has one end operatively connected to said switch and has said magnet connected to the other end thereof; and

(1. said means for guiding said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide comprises a ramp positioned within said guide stick and adjacent the other end thereof.

ment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide. 

1. A combination including a hoop and means for rolling and controlling travel of same, the combination comprising: a. a hoop having a peripheral rim; b. an elongated guide stick having a handle portion at one end thereof; c. means mounted adjacent the other end of said guide stick and engageable with the rim of said hoop for pushing said hoop to effect rotation thereof and for controlling the direction of travel of said hoop, said means for pushing said hoop and for controlling the direction of travel of said hoop comprising a hoop guide having lateral flanges extending outwardly from a web mounted on said guide stick, the web of said hoop guide having an aperture therein; and d. means mounted on said guide stick for selectively retarding rotation of said hoop, said means for retarding rotation of said hoop comprising a magnet and means mounted on said guide stick and operatively connected to said magnet for selectively moving same into and out of operative position in Said web of said hoop guide.
 2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said guide stick is a tubular member having said magnet therein; b. a lever is mounted on said guide stick adjacent the handle portion thereof; c. an elongated rod has one end operatively connected to said switch and has the other end thereof connected to said magnet; and d. said means for moving said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide includes a ramp positioned within said guide stick and adjacent the other end thereof.
 2. means mounted on said guide stick and connected to said magnet for selectively moving said magnet longitudinally of said stick; and
 3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 including resilient means operatively connected to said lever and to said guide stick for urging said lever to and maintaining same in a position having said magnet out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.
 3. means adjacent said web of said hoop guide for guiding said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.
 4. In combination, a metal hoop and means for propelling and guiding and braking said hoop and comprising: a. a metal hoop; b. an elongated tubular guide stick having a handle portion at one end thereof; c. a hoop guide mounted adjacent the other end of said guide stick and having laterally spaced flanges extending outwardly from a web having an aperture therein; d. a magnet within said guide stick; and e. means mounted on said guide stick and operatively connected to said magnet for selectively moving said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.
 5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. a lever is mounted on said guide stick adjacent the handle portion thereof; b. an elongated rod is positioned in said guide stick and has one end operatively connected to said lever and has said magnet connected to the other end thereof; and c. said means for moving said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide includes a ramp positioned within said guide stick and adjacent the other end thereof.
 6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein resilient means are operatively connected to said switch and to said guide stick for urging said lever to a position having said magnet out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide.
 7. A hoop rolling and braking device comprising: a. an elongated guide stick having a handle portion at one end thereof; b. a hoop guide mounted adjacent the other end of said guide stick and having laterally spaced flanges extending outwardly from a web having an aperture therein; and c. means mounted on said guide stick and selectively movable into alignment with the aperture in the web of said hoop guide for retarding rotation of a hoop having a metal rim positioned between said flanges of said hoop guide, said means for retarding rotation of a hoop comprises:
 8. A hoop rolling and braking device as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said guide stick is a tubular member having said magnet therein; b. a lever is mounted on said guide stick adjacent the handle portion; c. an elongated rod has one end operatively connected to said switch and has said magnet connected to the other end thereof; and d. said means for guiding said magnet into and out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide comprises a ramp positioned within said guide stick and adjacent the other end thereof.
 9. A hoop rolling and braking device as set forth in claim 8 wherein resilient means are operatively connected to said lever and to said guide stick for urging said switch to a position having the magnet out of alignment with the aperture in said web of said hoop guide. 